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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Something old-Something new---LEFTOVERS

The guys here aren't too big on eating leftovers--at least the husband isn't,I don't think Grandpa minds. A few days ago I made sloppy joe's for supper and ended up with a bowl of leftovers. I added a can of black beans and a can of kidney beans,sprinkled a little cheese on top and topped it all off with a spicy mexican cornbread. After a sniff or two,the husband said "hmm that's not bad"--as if I would make him eat something yucky! He took some of that to work with him today and I gave Grandpa the last little scoop of it for supper tonight. I call that a win-win situation. I didn't have to go all out cooking yesterday or today. How do you turn your old leftovers into something new?

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Slow Cooker Honey-Sesame Chicken

I found this recipe online and it sounded quick/easy/delish-so I had to try it. BUT I didn't make it in the slow cookier because I had just gotten back from grocery shopping and didn't want to wait to eat,so I improvised a little.
OK,OK--I improvised ALOT. I also tweaked it to accomidate what I had on hand. I still plan on making it in the crockpot another day,but I thought I would share the recipe NOW.

Honey Sesame Chicken
1 package of chicken tenderloin strips
salt/pepper/seasoning to taste
1/2 onion sliced thin
splash of teriyaki maranade
handful of cooked spaghetti noodles
1 cup or so of shredded plain cabbage
a few splashes of low fat honey-ginger salad dressing (*Newman's Own)
1/2-1 cup of water

In a large skillet,add the water and turn heat on to high-medium high--cut the chicken tenderloins into thin strips--slice the onion into thin strips--add both into the skillet and cook until done--add the seasoning--add in the maranade and stir to coat everything well--cook until all the liquid is gone and there is a slight sauce left--pour into a large bowl--add in a handful of cooked spaghetti noodles---add in the cabbage---add in the salad dressing--mix well coating everything--serve hot or cold--

**I sometimes add a little water or stock to something I'm cooking so I won't have to use cooking oil.
**I used spaghetti noodles because the husband was making spaghetti and it was ready and waiting for me-I usually use the shiritaki noodles (Thanks,Hungry Girl!)
**You can of course,add in any other veggies you like,but I was hungry and not feeling very creative-broccoli and snow peas would be good in this.
**Here's a tip I saw on DR OZ last week--it's for salads,but would work for this too---in a spill proof container add in your salad dressing last,make sure the lid is on tight and shake it until everything is coated.It's supposed to help you coat everything in your salad using less dressing.SMART!!!

Valentine's Day.....Love it or hate it?

I love the IDEA of Valentine's Day---sweet,romantic gestures,flowers and chocolates for your sweetie. But in real life,it's just an over-commercialized holiday filled with alot of hype from the candy and card biz. But then romance isn't "real life" is it? I'm kind of in the middle on how I feel about it all-I mean sure,like every other girl,I like to be pampered and reminded how much my other half loves me,but I'm like if you can't show me on the other 364 days of the year,then don't just go out and buy crap because it's Valentine's Day. Buy me flowers on a Thursday-for no other reason than you were thinking about me and knew it would make me smile. Now for Valentine's Day this year,I told the other half to write me a love letter. That's all I want. I told him he lost the romance about halfway through our first year of marriage. Happens to alot of husbands,doesn't it? I know he loves me and he tells me all the time,but he just isn't good with the romance. OK enough philosophy for one day,it's making my head hurt! I saw these recipes on facebook of all places-well the ocean spray facebook page. Can we say CRANBERRIES!? I love cranberries-add in a little~OK ALOT of chocolate!That's what a girl wants anyway,isn't it? CHOCOLATE-CHOCOLATE and love letters-the perfect Valentine's Day treats!



Ocean Spray Black Forest Cookies

Chewey Cherry Brownies

I made the brownies as a valentine's day treat and the brownie mix I picked up was a MOCHA one--OH MY STARS!!!! I can't wait to try them!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Happy Birthday!!!!!


This cake is soooo delicious-and not too bad for you.I just noticed the "j" on it-
no,that wasn't intentional LOL.




February 4th is my birthday. And I'm trying to eat healthier (aren't we all?).
The husband always gets me a cake each year---but he gets me one loaded with sugar. That's not good for a diabetic. So this year,I told him NO CAKE!!! I will make my own. I saw a "brownie" recipe on the DR OZ show the other day and am going to apply the same method to a low-sugar cake mix and sugar free frosting (if I use it-haven't decided yet).Hungry Girl did a similar recipe with brownies and chocolate muffins-YUM!

Dr OZ's Pumpkin Brownie Recipe

Thursday, February 2, 2012

February 2nd What's for supper?


I made a turkey-spinach baked "casserole" for me.


The guys had shephard's pie for supper tonight.

Shephard's Pie
1-2pounds of ground meat
1 can of condensed tomato soup
shredded cheddar cheese
1 large onion-diced
salt/pepper/seasoning to your taste
mashed potatoes
1 bag of frozen french style green beans

saute the onion-add the meat and cook until done--drain the fat--in a large bowl add the meat,beans,and tomato soup---stir to mix well---pour into a casserole dish and top with the cheddar cheese and mashed potatoes-bake until the cheese is melted.


Turkey-Spinach Baked Casserole
2pounds ground turkey (or chicken)
1 jar of light alfredo sauce (I really needed 2)
1 package of spinach (really could have used 2)
1 box of pasta-I used ditalinni but orachetti is delish too
1-2 cans of cannellini beans (drained/rinsed)
salt/pepper/seasoning to taste
shredded white italian cheeses

cook the meat until done-drain the fat--cook the pasta while the meat is cooking to save time---drain the pasta and add to a large bowl add the meat and spinach--pour
in the sauce-add the drained and rinsed beans--stir to mix well---pour into a casserole dish and top with the cheese--bake until cheese is melty and browned.
**I really should have used 2 packages of spinach and 2 jars of sauce-but I only
picked up 1 of each....